She Strengthens

Elegant Winter Soup with Crispy Beet Chips

As the weather cools down, a warm and comforting bowl of soup is just what we need to cozy up. We’ve created a stunning and indulgent-tasting soup that’s surprisingly free of cream, relying instead on the natural sweetness of vegetables.

The Perfect Pairing for Bistecca Fiorentina

This recipe makes an excellent accompaniment to our Bistecca Fiorentina, a hearty cold-weather meal that’s sure to impress.

Special Equipment Needed

To create the crispy beet chips, you’ll need a mandoline or a vegetable peeler to slice the beets thinly. A deep-frying/candy thermometer is also essential for achieving the perfect frying temperature.

Make it Vegan-Friendly

Replace the butter with olive oil to make this recipe suitable for vegans.

Game Plan

Yield: 2 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 45 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium leek, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 cup coarsely chopped parsnips
• 2 cups coarsely chopped cauliflower florets
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 3/4 cups water

For the Beet Crisps:

• 1 medium red beet
• 1 cup peanut or canola oil for frying

Instructions

Soup

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add leek and season with salt and white pepper. Cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Add parsnips and cook until tender, about 4 minutes.
4. Add cauliflower and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add salt and water, bring to a simmer, and cook until vegetables are tender, about 8-9 minutes.
6. Blend until smooth, then return to saucepan and reheat.

Beet Crisps

1. Peel and slice the beet into thin strips using a mandoline or vegetable peeler.
2. Heat oil in a small saucepan to 375°F.
3. Fry beet slices in batches until crispy, about 30-45 seconds.
4. Remove from oil and sprinkle with salt.

Serve and Enjoy

Top the warm soup with crispy beet chips and serve immediately. For a perfect pairing, try a medium-bodied Austrian Grüner Veltliner, such as the 2005 Hiedler Grüner Veltliner Löss.